Reuters: Sports News

Mickelson takes Shanghai lead, sets up Tiger clash

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:27:34 GMT

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Phil Mickelson shot a third-round five-under-par 67 to take a two-shot lead at the $7 million (4.21 million pound) WGC-HSBC Champions on Saturday, setting up a rare head-to-head battle with Tiger Woods on the final day.

Mortlock ruled out of Grand Slam tour

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:08:03 GMT

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Former Australia captain Stirling Mortlock has been ruled out of the Wallabies' Grand Slam tour of Britain and Ireland after aggravating a leg injury, local media reported Saturday.

Tottenham and Chelsea raise stakes on naming rights

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:36:48 GMT

CHIGWELL, England (Reuters) - Tottenham Hotspur and London arch-rivals Chelsea put the issue of stadium naming rights on the agenda this week after both clubs revealed plans to tap the sponsorship market in their bid to compete.

Life is Sweet out from Zenyatta's shadow

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:15:21 GMT

ARCADIA, California (Reuters) - Life is Sweet emerged from the shadow of undefeated stablemate Zenyatta by roaring to a 2 1/2-length triumph in the $2 million (1.2 million pounds) Breeders Cup Ladies' Classic at Santa Anita Park on Friday.

Federer breezes into semis as Djokovic rallies

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:42:11 GMT

BASEL (Reuters) - World number one Roger Federer breezed into the Swiss Indoors semi-finals Friday but the home crowd's hopes of an all-Swiss final were dashed when Novak Djokovic rallied to beat Stanislas Wawrinka.

Man of Iron wins Breeders' Cup Marathon

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:36:47 GMT

ARCADIA, California (Reuters) - Irish-based Man of Iron wore down nine-year-old gelding Cloudy's Knight in the stretch to capture the $500,000 (300,915 pound) Breeders' Cup Marathon by a nose at Santa Anita Park Friday.

Ferdinand out of trip to Chelsea

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:22:05 GMT

LONDON (Reuters) - Brief news from the English Premier League before this weekend's matches (all times GMT):

Murray mauls Montanes to reach Valencia semis

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:05:34 GMT

VALENCIA, Spain (Reuters) - Top seed Andy Murray gave Spaniard Albert Montanes a 6-4 6-2 mauling in the quarter-finals of the Valencia Open on Friday as the Briton continued his comeback from a wrist injury.

WADA looks to governments to help fight drugs

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:51:07 GMT

MONTREAL (Reuters) - A victory anti-doping crusaders once believed impossible is now within reach with the help of powerful new allies as the war on performance-enhancing drugs in sport moves on to new fronts.

New Zealand beat Pakistan by 64 runs in second ODI

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:35:13 GMT

ABU DHABI (Reuters) - New Zealand beat Pakistan by 64 runs in the second one-day international at Sheikh Zayed stadium on Friday.

Last two tickets to London up for grabs in Paris

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:39:49 GMT

PARIS (Reuters) - The last two tickets to the World Tour finals are still to play for at the Paris Masters tournament starting on Sunday, with Russia's Nikolay Davydenko and Spaniard Fernando Verdasco ideally placed to grab them.

Towering Valuev makes Haye look like a lightweight

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:15:35 GMT

BERLIN (Reuters) - Towering world heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev weighed in seven stones heavier than Britain's David Haye ahead of their WBA title bout in Nuremberg on Saturday.

Injured Roddick withdraws from Paris Masters

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:12:42 GMT

PARIS (Reuters) - American Andy Roddick has withdrawn from the Paris Masters tournament starting on Sunday, organisers said on Friday.

England's Vickery undergoes neck surgery

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:09:09 GMT

LONDON (Reuters) - England prop Phil Vickery has had successful neck surgery and now faces a rest period before rehabilitation which is expected to last more than three months, his club Wasps said in a statement on Friday.

Capello inspired by unveiling bust of Ramsey at Wembley

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:06:52 GMT

LONDON (Reuters) - England manager Fabio Capello said he dreamed of emulating Alf Ramsey by winning the World Cup for England when he unveiled a bust of his predecessor at Wembley Stadium on Friday.

Stosur fails to unsettle Martinez Sanchez

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:50:26 GMT

BALI (Reuters) - Second seed Samantha Stosur fired down a WTA Tour record 208kph serve but a 7-6 7-5 defeat by Spaniard Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez eliminated the Australian from the Tournament of Champions Friday.

United arrive at good time for Chelsea - Ancelotti

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:48:24 GMT

COBHAM, England (Reuters) - Chelsea face title rivals Manchester United at the perfect time on Sunday because the London side are fit, playing well and full of confidence, coach Carlo Ancelotti said.

Ireland prop Horan ruled out of November tests

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:18:10 GMT

DUBLIN (Reuters) - Prop Marcus Horan will miss Ireland's matches against Australia, Fiji and South Africa this month because of a head injury, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) said in a statement on Friday.

Independent operators to take over most World Cup stadia

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:01:19 GMT

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Most of South Africa's new World Cup stadiums will be run by independent operators after the 2010 tournament to avoid becoming financial burdens.

Zenyatta set to break colts' Classic hold

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:42:23 GMT

ARCADIA, California (Reuters) - Unbeaten Zenyatta has been installed 5-2 morning line favourite to do what no filly or mare has done since the Breeders' Cup inception in 1984 and win the $5 million (3 million pound) Classic.

We are underdogs without Serena, say U.S. Fed Cup team

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:33:01 GMT

REGGIO CALABRIA, Italy (Reuters) - The United States feel like underdogs in their Fed Cup final against Italy this weekend after Serena Williams pulled out, captain Mary Joe Fernandez said on Friday.

Ali's former brand maker takes on opera world

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:29:16 GMT

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Anyone approaching Harlan Werner's multi-level Hollywood home during a weekday morning is likely to be greeted by the rousing sounds of a classically trained tenor exercising his unique voice.

Real and Portugal clash over Ronaldo injury

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:47:32 GMT

MADRID (Reuters) - A row has broken out between Real Madrid and the Portuguese Football Federation over whether injured forward Cristiano Ronaldo should be called up for the two-legged World Cup playoff against Bosnia.

Dutch consider central striking role for Van Persie

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:37:41 GMT

ZEIST, Netherlands (Reuters) - Robin van Persie could be deployed as a central striker for the Netherlands in friendlies against Italy and Paraguay later this month, coach Bert van Marwijk said on Friday.

CAS suspend Chelsea's ban on signing players

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:17:46 GMT

LONDON (Reuters) - Chelsea were cleared to sign new players in the January transfer window on Friday after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) suspended a ban imposed by world body FIFA.